Breathing and respiratory problems

The respiratory system is a biological system important for exchange of gases. Breathing is the process that brings oxygen into your lungs and moves through your body. The impurities like dust particles and harmful gases in the air cause many breathing and respiratory problems.It may be common problems like common cough and cold or critical diseases like pneumonia.

Respiratory disorders are considered Swasa roga in Ayurveda. 

According to Ayurveda vata, pitta, kapha are the three vital forces in the body. Among this kapha dosha is mainly located in the upper trunk. Vata can cause dryness and crunchy blockages, and pitta can bring inflammation. The vitiation of vata, pitta and kapha will lead to Swasa roga.

Common respiratory system diseases

• Sinusitis 
• Rhinitis
• Cough
• Cold - flu
• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Hypertrophic Turbinates, etc

Common symptoms

• Cough
• Production of mucus
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing
• Chest pain on taking deep breath.

• Having allergies
• Being overweight
• Being exposed frequently to pollutants
• Having a family history of the disease
• Having another lung disease
• Using illegal drugs
• Taking certain medications, like appetite-suppressant drugs

Predisposing factors

•  Exposure to fumes and smoke
• Exposure to breez.
• Living in cold places.
• Smoking.
• Exposure to dust.
• Excessive consumption 
  • Chilled or Cold water
  • Obstruction or block in the throat or chest.
  • Excess consumption of
  • Curd
  • Black gram
  • Dry food items
  • Residue left out after extracting oil from sesame seeds
  • Flat beans
  • Excessive consumption of sesame oil.
  • Heavy and 
  • Unprocessed milk.
• Excessive fasting.
• Injury to vital organs.

• Diet and lifestyle Modifications
• Herbs and Herbo-Mineral Preparations
• Example -

1. Relief from cough,excess mucus, heal and repair tissue - Yashtimadhu
2. Dry cough, Bronchodilator, Soothing agent - Tankan Bhasma, Sitopaladi churna acts like an expectorant.
3. Productive cough and upper respiratory tract infection- Vacha
4. Clear mucus and Phlegm from air ways - Lavanga

Other therapies like - Nasyam, Lepanam, Thalam, Vamanam, Shirodhara are commonly practiced depending on the dosha predominance and severity.